Alex Kirk added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lobos (23-4, 10-2), increased their lead in the conference race to two games over the Rams (21-5, 8-4).

Colton Iverson had 26 points and 15 boards for the Rams, who looked like they were going to move into a first-place tie atop the standings after taking a 70-64 lead at the 6-minute mark.

Williams, who had been on the bench with four fouls, returned and hit three 3s during a 14-2 run that gave New Mexico a 78-72 lead.

His 10 3-pointers broke the conference mark of nine set by several players, most recently UNLV’s Chace Stanback against Central Arkansas on Dec. 28, 2011.

Williams’ previous career best was 24 points against Indiana State and New Mexico State earlier this season.

Wes Eikmeier added 22 points for the Rams and Dorian Green had 20. Eikmeier scored 11 straight at one point as Colorado State built a 55-50 lead early in the second half.

The Lobos quieted the crowd with a 12-6 run to regain the lead at 62-61, but Williams was whistled for his fourth foul and took a seat at the nine-minute mark. He returned with the Lobos down 70-64 and sparked the comeback.

The Rams were coming off a two-point loss at UNLV on Wednesday night that snapped their six-game winning streak that began after a 66-61 loss to the Lobos in Albuquerque last month.

The Rams’ last loss at home was Nov. 11, 2012, to Southern Miss, which was coached by Larry Eustachy, who is in his first season as Colorado State’s coach.

Colorado State’s 27-game home winning streak was the third-longest in the nation.

Williams scored 20 points in the first half, when he made five 3-pointers, and Kirk scored 12 first-half points, but the Lobos trailed 41-38 at the break. The opening 20 minutes featured eight ties and nine lead changes.

Iverson, who had 13 first-half points for the Rams, picked up his second foul with just nine-tenths of a second left in the first half when he hammered Chad Adams on his way to the basket.